Oprah Visits The Navajo Nation

Oprah and her best friend, Gail King, right, pose May 31 with the people of the Navajo Nation in Window Rock, Ariz. Oprah was there filming the first Native American segment for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that is due to air this fall. About 450 Navajo, Hopi and members of other tribes came to greet the TV icon.

Credit: Courtesy of The Navajo Nation

Oprah arrived May 31 at the Navajo Nation Veterans Memorial Park in a red sedan with her friend, Gail King, according to the Navajo Nation. It was a surprise appearance and she was there for just under an hour. "It was a real honor to have such a celebrity grace us with her presence, especially on sacred ground right under Window Rock," Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. said in a statement.

Credit: Courtesy of The Navajo Nation

During her time May 31 at Window Rock, Ariz., the Navajo Nation said that Oprah visited a jewelry vendor's booth, sampled a Navajo tortilla, and commented on a huge natural arch that is called "tseghahoodzani," which gives the Navajo capital its name, Window Rock.

Credit: Courtesy of The Navajo Nation

According to The Navajo Nation, the first Navajo to greet the TV mogul on May 31 was Priscella Littlefoot, the To'Nanees' Dizi Chapter coordinator who organized the visit. Ms. Littlefoot apparently prompted Oprah's visit when she sent an e-mail to the show about a month ago.

Credit: Courtesy of The Navajo Nation

The Navajo Nation said that Leona Canyon, director of the Tuba City Youth Detention Facility, helped prepare for Oprah's visit. "She was so taken with the children," Canyon said in a statement. "She wanted to pick up every kid that was in regalia. She embraced those kids as if she had known them for years and years."

Credit: Courtesy of The Navajo Nation

A Navajo medicine man, Sam Maxx, and director of the Navajo Government Development Office, Ben Silversmith, chanted a prayer to bless the sacred ground at Veteran's Park where Oprah visited, the Navajo Nation said.

Credit: Courtesy of The Navajo Nation

After the blessing by the medicine man on May 31 in Window Rock, Ariz., Oprah watched the nation's children perform a powwow. She told the Navajo Nation people that it was the first she had seen. "I think her desire was to find out who we are," Littlefoot said in a statement. "She's a really humble person."